Hereford gained a firmer grip on the play-off positions with victory over Buxton on Tuesday. Next up is a tricky looking encounter with Marine who have picked up in recent weeks. Simon Wright looks ahead.
This is a tough gig. Buoyed by the return from injury of their main striker Bobby Grant (think wider version of Cowley), the Liverpool club are on the up. Grant keeps defences busy and gives wide man Sinclair-Smith room to play in. We also need to be aware of their Captain, local man Chris Doyle. Despite being a central defender, he’s netted four times this month alone. When you think our main two defenders have only one between them all season, that is some going Manager Neil Young has just added two more midfielders to his squad, ex Everton U21s Sean McAlister and Farsley Celtic refugee Sam Fielding. Every player who started the season with Farsley has now left.
Our hosts have won 5 of their last 8 games, including the last 3 in a row. Manager Neil Young cited “momentum and confidence:” as the main reasons for the turnaround. With 3 clubs effectively resigned to relegation, the Mariners only have to stay in front of Needham Market or the ailing Oxford to retain their step 2 status. Among all the promoted clubs, Marines strength is their support. They averaged 1,300 last season and basically kept ‘em coming all this term. This is a very old club whose fortunes and support were transformed by a lucrative FA Cup run.
Their home record is a modest 5-4-8. They’ve defeated 4 strugglers (Rushall, Needham, Radcliffe and Kiddy) plus Chorley. Scoring (and results) picked up sharply in February though overall they have scored just 30 goals, the third lowest total.
Rossett Park is a new ground for us, set on the outskirts of a new city for the fortunate 312 Bulls who navigated the antique paper ticket set-up. I’ve visited once before and for me it is a cross between Grimsby and Ashton United. Place feels very port-like while there are houses overlooking the pitch on 3 sides. The Mariners have started discussions for a new £8 million ground as there is no room to meet their ambitions.
With strict segregation in force, we will be denied access to the affable locals and presumably their in-house highly regarded 1894 Bar and Bistro bar and restaurant. There aren’t many local alternatives. It’s street parking only (avoid College Road with its two-hour limit).
Marine is the start of our end of season 4G pitch playtime. Five consecutive away games from now on are all on plastic. Radio Herefords’ Keith Hall is going to be very glum indeed. I hope there aren’t any injuries. Cheer up Keith, we have a squad in awesome form to support and scream incoherently about.
If you haven’t got a ticket do listen in to Keith and Simon on Radio Hereford FC.
Radio Hereford FC | Hereford FC – The Official website of Hereford FC
